Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple: What We Know So Far

The Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple is a major new temple project for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Provo, Utah. Announced by President Russell M. Nelson on October 3, 2021, the temple represents both a significant expansion and a modern redesign of the historic Provo temple site. Here’s a concise, informative summary of the key facts and timeline.

Quick facts

• Official name: Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple (renamed from “Provo Utah Temple” on February 20, 2024)
• Address: 2200 Temple Hill Dr, Provo, UT 84604
• Site size: 17 acres (compared with the previous site of about 15 acres; the increase reflects removal of the road at the old front of the temple)
• Building area: Approximately 163,000 square feet
• Height: 81 meters (265 ft 6 in)
• Exterior finish: Granite
• Spire: A single attached central spire; the design does not include a gold-leafed Angel Moroni statue (the existing Angel Moroni statue is currently in storage)
• Parking: The temple will not share a parking lot with a meetinghouse; a meetinghouse and its parking are located off to the corner across the street
• Rank in state: Will be the 6th temple in Utah
• Groundbreaking / construction start: February 24, 2024
• Rendering released: November 24, 2021
• Expected completion: Late 2027
• Elevation: Approximately 4,876 feet (1,486 meters) above sea level
• Context at announcement: At the time of announcement there were roughly 16.8 million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and about 500 congregations in Utah

Timeline and design highlights

• October 3, 2021 — President Russell M. Nelson announced the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple.
• November 24, 2021 — The Church released the public rendering showing the temple’s overall massing and exterior treatment.
• February 20, 2024 — The project name was changed from “Provo Utah Temple” to “Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple.”
• February 24, 2024 — Construction officially started.

The design emphasizes a single central spire integrated into the building mass rather than multiple spires. The exterior is planned to be clad in granite, conveying a traditional, enduring finish at a large scale: at roughly 163,000 square feet it will be one of the larger temples in the Church’s portfolio. The absence of a gold-leafed Angel Moroni statue on the new structure is a notable departure from many classic temple silhouettes; the previously used Angel Moroni statue remains in storage.

Site considerations
The new temple site covers approximately 17 acres—slightly larger than the former site’s 15 acres. This difference is in part due to removal of a roadway that previously bisected the front of the old temple site, allowing for a more unified property footprint. While the temple will not share a parking lot with a nearby meetinghouse, a meetinghouse and associated parking are located across the street, set off to the corner of the property.

Looking forward
Construction began in early 2024 with completion expected in late 2027. As work progresses, the Church typically posts updated photos, announcements about public open houses, and dates for a dedication when available. Given the temple’s size and prominent location on Temple Hill in Provo, it will be a major addition to the local landscape and the Church’s temple network in Utah.

If you’d like, I can collect and post updates (renderings, construction photos, groundbreaking/dedication details) as they are released so your readers can follow the project through completion.